Lam tack chu



(No Model.)

* LAM TACK CHU.

CHINESE LAWN-31m.`

Patented Apr. l2, 1887.

UNITED STATES y PATENT OFFICE.

LAM TACK CHU, oF sAN FRANCISCO, CA'Li'FoENIA.

CHINESE LANTERN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 361,134. dated .April 12, 1887. Application filed August 10, 1885. Renewed December 14. 1886. Serial No. 221,535. (No model.)

, will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specication.

This invention has relation to improvements in Chinese lanterns, or lanterns used for decorative purposes-such, for instance, as outdoor decorations; and it consists in the construction and novel arrangement of devices, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth, and particularly pointed out in the claims appended.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a perspective view of the lantern in an operative position, and Fig. 2 is a sectional detail view of the lower portion of the lantern and the candleholder removed.

Referring to the accompanying drawings by letter, A indicates the head-block, and B the footblock, which compose, respectively, the top and bottom of the lantern a. These blocks are circular in outline, and are provided on their inner horizontal sides with alternate vertical recesses and projections b and c. The projections b of each block areprovided with aligned horizontal apertures for the reception of a wire rod, C, which also passes through a similar aperture in the ends of thelongitudinal ribs. These projections are preferably arranged at the periphery of the blocks A and B, and at a sufficient distance apart for the introduction of the said ribs. The ribs may be made of any suitable flexible or elastic material; but I prefer the use of bamboo, owing to its great elasticity and durability, the bamboo being split, which renders it light and cheap. The ribs connect the head and foot blocks A andB together,and are slightly bent longitudinally from within outwardly, so that when the said blocks are moved in the direction of one another the ribsv will bulge outwardly in globular or balloon form. It will be perceived that the bamboostri ps thus split and pivoted at opposite ends tothe head and foot blocks, respectively,form a skeleton frame for the body of the lantern. The ribs or strips may then be covered with paper or other suitable material usually employed in lanterns of this character.

D indicates a candle-holder, which may consist of a circular body portion, e, having upon its upper side a central vertical hollow stem or other suitable device for holding the candle ory the like, and this stem portion may have two diametrically-arrangedlateral pins, g g, to secure the said holderin the foot-block B. The said foot-block is provided with a central vertical aperture for the reception of the stem and two diametrically-arranged offset slots for the reception of the lateral pins. Therefore, it will be seen that when a candle has been placed in the holder it may be secured in the foot-block B by simply guidingthe pins in the offset slots until clearing the upper horizontal edge of the said slots and giving it a slight turn,so as to have the pins engage the said upper side, when the holder-,with the candle,will be secured in position in the lantern.

E indicates the operating-rods, which are preferably formed of wire,and pass longitudinally through the body of the lantern. These wires are secured at their lower ends to the foot or lower block, B, and pass through slots h in the upper block, A. The wire rods E terminate at their upper ends in short downwardly-directed branches k. These branches are given a spring by forming a slight loop or bulge at their bends, so that when the wires are pulled up or out to open or spread the body of the will spring out and engage the upper surface of theblock A, and hold the said body portion in globular or bulged form, the bamboo ribs acting to drive apart or separate the head from the foot block. The upper ends or bends of the operatingrods are provided with a hook or loop-such as G-for suspending the device.

It may be found desirable in operation to provide the upper side of the block A with a vertical marginal ange-such as Z-to prevent the spring branches k from springing beyond lantern the lower ends` of the short branches ICO the periphery of the said block when the operating wires or rods are drawn.

Havi ng thus described this invention, what I c1aim,and desire to seoure by Letters Patent, 5 1s- 1. Alantern consisting of a head-block and a foot-block, elastic ribs connected at opposite ends to the said blocks, and a wire secured to the foot-block and provided with ro branches to engage the headbloek, whereby the lantern is held in an operative position,as set forth.

2. The combination, in a lantern, of a bottoni block, a movable top blocl,Wi1es secured 15 to the bottom block and passing through the top block, and having downwardly-extending branches to engage the moving block, and elastic ribs pivoted to said blocks, substann tially as specified.

3. The eombination,in a lantern,of blocksB 2o and A., the elastic ribs secured to said blocks by pivotal connections, substantially as shown, the wires E, attached to block B and passing through slots 7L in yblock A, and having downward extensions 7s, substantially as specied. 2 5

In testimony whereof I aihx 1n y signature in presence of two witnesses.

LAM TACK CHU.

fitnessesz Fone YON, J. H. WILLS. 

